Introduction

Based on a requirement after World War 2 for an aircraft to protect convoys, Lockheed started design and development of a unique tail sitter. The aircraft was to be capable of vertical take-off and landing. This would allow the aircraft the ability to operate from the deck of a cargo ship or like to protect convoys from aircraft or other threats. The prototype of the XFV Salmon occurred on June 16, 1954.

A second book from Jared A. Zichek continues the covering the details of the proposal and development of the XFV-1 Salmon.

Review of Part 1 of this book.

Book

Lockheed Model L-200 Convoy Fighter - The Original Proposal and Early Development of the XFV-1 Salmon - Part 2
Written by: Jared A. Zichek
Published by: Retromechanix Productions
ISBN: 978-0-9968754-5-5
Pages: 69

Review

For fans of this XFV-1 Salmon, this definitely looks like a second book for you from Jared A. Zichek. The book is printed in an 8.5" by 11" format with a soft cover. Inside, the text and images cover many more aspects of the design and development of the XFV-1, and again includes many diagrams to accompany the text. In this volume diagrams continue to show progress in the flight characteristics of this unique aircraft as well as many aspects of the XFV-1.

Again, in this volume of the book, it does not include a table of content or glossary, but does include sections that cover the Take-off and Alighting Methods, Prototype Proposal, Early Years of the XFO-1/XFV-1, NACA Flying Model Tests, and Subsequent History of the XFV-1.

This book basically continues the detailed story of the XFV-1, with discussion of the problems and solutions to issues found during the early design. There is good description covering the resolution to flight characteristics, to include the take-off and landing of the aircraft, including a section of the final proposed method of landing.

In this volume the book also dives into the prototype proposal, and includes section covering both the internal and external arrangement of components. This includes discussion of the power plant installation and electronic gear. I did find it interesting that the book contained a section describing the cost analysis, and how those cost are much lower then modern aircraft design and prototyping. The book then goes into prototyping in the wind tunnel and the model trials. This section does a great job explaining some of the characteristics that were learned during the flights of the model.

As stated the book does include many diagrams, including many of the internal components that detail the hydrolic system, electrical and electronic components, instrumentation, and more. The book then finishes with a summary and verdict for the XFV-1, including a section on related studies by Lockhead on similar aircraft.

Overview

The Part 2 of the book covering the XFV-1 does a good job in contining and finalizing the story and details on this very unique aircraft. The information in this book including the prototype proposal and information on the model prototyping do a great job on showing aircraft development and how the information for the verdict were gathered. I would definitely recommend this book, not only for fans of the XFV-1, but as an insight into aircraft development and prototyping.